Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is challenging his players to grab hold of “the form of the day” in this afternoon’s Manchester derby clash against City.
The Reds certainly did that in the corresponding fixture at Old Trafford last season - winning 2-1 - and Ten Hag is hoping for a similar outcome at the end of our first clash with the Blues in 2023/24, later today.
Ahead of the 15:30 GMT kick-off in the Premier League, the boss sat down with MUTV presenter Mark Sullivan on Friday to preview the encounter in his exclusive Matchday Q&A, and you can see that conversation in full here…
Erik, we’ve seen unbelievable drama at Old Trafford in the last two games. What’s it like when you experience that energy from the dugout?
“When this [victory] is the end story, then it’s okay. But you feel so isolated in the moment it happens, that it is going out of your hands and without reason. And it’s a threat you give the game away what you work so hard for, to get it on your side. But then luckily, we had Andre Onana [to save the penalty against FC Copenhagen].”
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It was a brilliant save at the end and the Brentford game was dramatic right to the end. There could be a lot more drama on Sunday against City. What are you expecting from them?**
“It’s not about them. Of course, it’s a great team, but it’s about us and how we play against them. And so, we have a clear plan, and we would have, and we have the right attitude and the right energy levels, and then we have a very good chance to win this game.” Do these games, these derbies, feel different to you?
“Yeah, it’s always different. Derby games against them, against top, top teams it’s always different and that is for the players. They like such challenges, so we are more motivated. They have more energy. But of course, the fans, the ambience will be incredible. I’m sure the fans will be from minute one, [and] already long before the game, they will be so excited and they will be backing the team from top to finish, I’m sure.”
Does form really matter in these matches? Because people often quote that it doesn’t.
“What is form? For me, form doesn’t exist. It’s the form of the day. And so make sure you are, on the day, in the right form.”
How have Harry Maguire and Andre Onana been in training since their heroics on Tuesday? Great moments for both players.
“But you need such achievements to get a strong belief and when you then cope right with such moments, and that belief in what you are building, then you can [get] even more progress. And I think top footballers have such attitudes, that they are not satisfied because satisfaction is going to laziness. No, they are hungry and they go into the next game and they want to do even better.” And how is the squad looking? Any news on Casemiro perhaps?
“I think it’s a race against the clock. He will do everything he can to be part of it, to start the game. But we have to see and we have some hours to go.”
Other than that, will the squad be pretty much unchanged from Tuesday?
“Not so many changes, no.”
Finally, we mourned for Sir Bobby this week. On Sunday, we get the chance to celebrate his achievements. Significant figures from other clubs have been signing the book of condolence: Pep Guardiola and Mike Summerbee from City, Jurgen Klopp and Kenny Dalglish from Liverpool … what does that say about the respect he’s got in the global game?
“I think it tells, firstly, everything about him. He is going over a rivalry. He’s not only a club player, he’s far ahead of that level. What he achieved in his life, that is massive. We all spoke the words like legend and giant, but he’s really [a representation of those words]. But it also tells that rivalry is also going to a certain level, so employees, players, coaches, managers, other clubs also admire Sir Bobby Charlton, which is great.”
